A gel cleanser that gently pulls dirt, makeup, and grime from pores while softening skin with a nutrient-rich blend of botanical ingredients, including brightening citrus peel and chestnut shell extract.
– Sulwhasoo
As a past fan of Sulwhasoo’s products, I was excited to try out their foaming cleanser when I received it as a gift. Though my excitement cooled a bit once I looked at the ingredient list, I still thought to try it out as I’m more lenient with cleansers since they’re all meant to be washed off anyways. This particular face wash is definitely on the pricier side (about $38 in comparison to my usual $13), but it provides a wonderful sensory experience when applied. The product itself is a somewhat thick, goopy amber liquid that spreads easily across the skin, gently lathering (but not to the extent of foaming), while giving off a light citrus scent. Washing the liquid off is a simple affair, leaving the skin clean and smooth (with no irritation).
Ingredient Pros and Cons
Ingredients: WATER / AQUA / EAU, POTASSIUM COCOYL GLYCINATE, DISODIUM COCOAMPHODIACETATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, ACRYLATES/BEHENETH-25 METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, PEG-200 HYDROGENATED GLYCERYL PALMATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE, CAPRYLYL/CAPRYL GLUCOSIDE, PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE, FRAGRANCE / PARFUM, ISOSTEARIC ACID, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, LIMONENE, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, SODIUM BENZOATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, COIX LACRYMA-JOBI MA-YUEN SEED EXTRACT, CITRUS UNSHIU PEEL EXTRACT, CASTANEA CRENATA (CHESTNUT) SHELL EXTRACT, LINALOOL, SPIRODELA POLYRHIZA EXTRACT, DIOSCOREA JAPONICA ROOT EXTRACT, DEXTRIN, THEOBROMA CACAO (COCOA) EXTRACT, RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, ULMUS DAVIDIANA ROOT EXTRACT, SALICORNIA HERBACEA EXTRACT, MORUS ALBA LEAF EXTRACT, ANGELICA KEISKEI EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, TOCOPHEROL
Significant Pros
- Pentylene, Butlyene Gylcol (moisturizing)
- Castanea Crenata (chesnut) Shell Extract (calming, antioxidant, brightening)
Significant Cons
- Fragrance / Parfum (irritant)
- Limonene (irritant)
- Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract (irritant)
- Linalool (irritant)
The Takeaway
As enjoyable as it was to use Sulwhasoo’s cleanser, there really isn’t anything of value in the ingredients to warrant the high price tag. In fact, I still believe that my original face wash – Thank You Farmer’s Iceland Cleansing Foam – provides more value in its ingredients at a much lower price point. Moreover, Sulwhasoo’s face wash seems to contain more cons than pros. While the cons aren’t so overwhelming that I would hard reject even finishing the container, I would be wary for those with sensitive skin who may want to try this out. In any case, this product, while delightful to use, doesn’t really add anything of value to your skincare routine. There are plenty of better, cheaper alternatives out there, so keep looking for yours!
Skincare for Introverts 